The Charlotte Chapter

Since many of our affiliates are directly located in Charlotte, this is a space where we will present the local concerns regarding the Charlotte community and how we are specifically being affected by microplastic pollution and how we can mitigate these issues.

The City of Charlotte

Although the research is ongoing, we know microplastic pollution poses an existential problem. Located throughout our atmosphere and in the deepest parts of our oceans in the Mariana Trench, there is no escaping plastic pollution. My team and I have already identified and found microplastic particles in North Carolina's "pristine" Lake Norman, and are currently undergoing experiments in the Catawba River system. The problem is here and we cannot neglect it anymore. According to EPA reports, an analysis of per capita waste increase for the 7 individual counties within and around Charlotte displays an average of approximately 29.6% increase between 1991-2020. Fortunately, with a circular economy on the horizon, Charlotte officials are taking active steps towards a "zero waste and inclusive city," however more work must still be done.

Charlotte is known for its progressive stance on social, political, and environmental affairs, with low investment in research and development towards environmental issues, and the lower classes struggling to make ends meet demonstrates the need for reform. Low-income neighborhoods are especially impacted by environmental degradation and concerns. Residing near landfills, only having access to less advanced wastewater treatment, and increased population density are characteristic of low-income communities, increasing their vulnerability. However, Charlotte policymakers and scientists have developed various strategies to lower unemployment rates while incorporating sustainability practices.

According to Charlotte officials, per household generation of plastic is over 144,000 tons per year, with only 3000 tons being recycled, with one out of four items incapable of being recycled at facilities. For example, flaws in our recycling programs can be seen in Mecklenburg County with a 55% increase in contamination of curbside recyclables. Styrofoam, metals, ceramic, and plastic bags cannot be accepted at recycling facilities, and therefore clutter our landfills or end up as pollution in our environment. Although these materials can be taken to special recycling facilities, for those who have the means to drive to designated areas, others who do not have cars accessible cannot recycle these materials. According to Envision Charlotte, the majority of recyclables are not local, rather are imported from outside locations, due to the contamination of waste on the regional level.

Catawba Riverkeeper officials have reported collecting over 2000lbs of trash in Charlotte's rivers several months ago, with an increase in PPE trash from masks and gloves, which are remnants of the pandemic. Even with Charlotte's new initiative towards a green city, these statistics demonstrate the need for greater administration and effective policy implementation. However, regional authorities are making efforts to remediate the issues of over cluttered landfills and litter pollution. Through increased funding starting in 2016 towards restoring and repurposing landfills across the eight major ones in Mecklenburg County, projects such as the one at The Double Oaks Landfill have been successful.

Charlotte is the largest city by population in North Carolina, with that, they should have a leading role in implementing sustainable practices within their region as a way to influence other cities and counties. With major textile industries located within Charlotte, these producers and manufacturers, under the new Charlotte circular economy system, should be held responsible for the use and production of plastic pollution, specifically microfibers.

North Carolina as a whole

North Carolina, along with regions across the Southeast of the US, is home to rich biodiverse ecosystems and supports a vast number of species. From the coastal to the mountainous regions, North Carolina's natural landscape not only is aesthetically captivating, but critically fragile to anthropogenic harm, and this is especially true in the case of microplastics pollution.

In an assessment of marine debris in North Carolina during 2018, it was concluded that the greatest contributor to pollution, and which has been identified by volunteers at trash cleanups, is plastics.

As of this year, eight states across the US have banned the use of single use plastic bags to prevent a threat to our environment. But North Carolina is not one of those states. Ten major cities have also pledged to phase out, fee, or ban these materials within their region. However, Charlotte is not one of those cities. California has the largest population size of all states in the US, with that they were consuming between 13-20 billion plastic bags per year, with only 3% recycled. The first ones to implement such a bold policy, in 2014, California applied a statewide ban on plastic bags and a minimum 10 cent fee on alternatives, and this plan appears to be working effectively. With an 85% reduction in plastic bags, 61% decrease in paper bags, and 86% rate of customers bringing their own reusable bags, California is an exemplary figure demonstrating the need and effectiveness of reform. As National Geographics reports, this is not an end all be all solution, yet drastic measures such as these precipitate activism and the need for change in our society to reduce our plastic consumption.

Additionally, another state legislative action by Maine and New Jersey was taken to ban polystyrene or styrofoam, which is a pervasive and harmful pollutant often ingested by animals. Styrofoam is persistent (can last over 500 years), is low in density (meaning it can travel from terrestrial sources to waterways via wind or storm weather), and can have severe negative implications on our health. A report by the NCBI determined that although larger styrene particles may be harmless, micro and nanoparticles most certainly may not be, and have the ability to harm red blood cells., possibly resulting in hemolysis.

Nine states across the US, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, have also collaborated on bringing more responsibility towards producers for end products of plastic packaging, which account for "40% of total plastic usage," with only a 50% recycling rate. Yet again, this is another instance where North Carolina has not taken a leading role in acting towards effective plastic waste management.

On a national level, the banning of microbeads in 2016 under executive jurisdiction was a major accomplishment in the fight against microplastics pollution. But just as a bag ban cannot be the only measure we take in resolving this issue, local, state, and federal governments must do a better job in mitigating overall microplastics pollution, especially primary sources. In 2008, California kickstarted their campaign towards zero microplastic waste with regulations on "manufacture, handling and transport of pre-production plastic pellets." In recent years, two Senate bills proposing research and evaluation of drinking water contamination as well as strategies towards mitigating ecological harm of microplastics took effect in 2018, and are still ongoing.